New Delhi: Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat has been named India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), just a day before his retirement from service as the Chief of Army Staff. He will demit the office of the Chief of Army Staff on Tuesday.
The CDS post was set up a few days ago. The CDS will act as the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister on matters pertaining to the Army, Navy and the Air Force. The three service chiefs will continue to advise the Defence Minister on matters exclusively concerning their respective forces.
An alumnus of the St. Edward School, Shimla, the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, General Bipin Rawat is from the Gorkha regiment.
General Rawat was appointed the Chief of Army Staff on December 31, 2016 and was to retire tomorrow. However, he will continue his service now as the Chief of Defence Staff. General Rawat will demit the office of the Chief of Army Staff on Tuesday. Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane, currently the Vice Chief of Army Staff will take over as Army Chief.
